Cotswold Forest School

Embracing learning through nature

ASLF: Reedbeds, Access and Community Involvement

 Arts, Education, Community, Interpretation:

 Lakeside Art Project.

The aim of this project was to undertake the first phase of a variety of creative projects using local materials at Lakeside, South Cerney.  The community arts programme, working with local people and youngsters (some with learning and behavioural difficulties), aimed to create a substantial willow and steel woven sculpture.  The work of art will celebrate and reflect the Cotswold Water Parks Bio-diversity, history and recreational treasures.

The community arts programme proposes various ASLF arts projects in a phased programme. For the 1^st phase, ‘In Our Element’s community artist John Charles Kimberley worked with youngsters from local schools and youth groups, whilst seeking support from local residents to assist in creating a striking willow woven sculpture. The woven willow will be supported and enhanced by a steel framework, the design and construction of which will be in consultation with In Our Element’s community artist. 

The work will help enhance skills in design and dexterity, and lead to knowledge in willow coppicing and management. Furthermore, the professional installation and promotion of the work, plus the impact as the first of such works in a publicly accessible sculpture , will help raise the confidence and self esteem of those taking part.

The willow weaving workshops were professionally led and installed so they would create permanent living sculptures in the landscape.  The whole process will be evaluated and documented. Once the works have been installed there will be professional interpretation leaflets and a panel for acknowledgement and interpretation to show how the willow is an important element of local biodiversity and how human craft and skill can make good use of local materials

This is a local project, using local materials, led by a local community artist, for and with local people. It is an exemplar of sustainability, minimizing travel and waste.

The project will contribute to the Community Strategy by:

·        Enhancing the leisure and cultural enjoyment of locals and visitors to Lakeside and increasing their appreciation of unusual ‘living’ sculpture

·        This is the 1^st phase of a collection of creative projects that will encourage visitors to walk to see the works. This will have a beneficial impact on their health and well being by providing an attractive, easily accessible physical activity of walking the trail for all ages and disabilities

·        Raising the awareness of local skills using local resources that could be developed – coppicing, use of willow/reed weaving and blacksmith skills..

·        Raising the awareness of the Water Park’s biodiversity and the contribution that plants such as willow and reeds make to the locality

·        The willow/reed workshops are designed to enhance the skills and learning of a particularly disadvantaged group of local people helping them achieve more confidence and supporting their potential for future contribution their communities

·        This project uses local materials, local people, and a local artist – for local cultural enjoyment and understanding. It is an exemplar of sustainability.

I would like to once again say a huge thank you to Ben Prothero (Blacksmith), Alistair Mould (Site contractor) and the whole community of South Cerney for their inspiration, support and involvement in the project.  Finally, to Lesley Greene, Jo Sayers, Matthew Millet, Jill Bewley, Ali Swainston (and all the Ranger Team!) for their ‘behind the scenes’ co-ordination and support.  This project has been generously funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Funding.

John Charles Kimberley ALSF Lakeside Willow and Steel Bio-dome 2008.

WILLOW IS A WONDER FOR LAURENCE
As featured in the Gloucestershire Echo 07 November 2007

Changing Rooms Star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has had his garden turned into a willow wonderland.  Youngsters from the Cotswold Forest School near Cirencester joined members of the Prince's Trust, former Cotswold Water Park ranger John Charles Kimberley, and Mr Llewelyn-Bowen to help create the masterpiece.

Their exploits were filmed as part of new TV show To The Manor Bowen.

John-Charles Kimberley, director of the school, designed the 6ft high construction.

He said: "I got approached to build a willow work of art with all the youngsters and the Prince's Trust.

"It's based around two trees, a sycamore and an ash. It's very organic.

"All the willow has come from the Cotswold Water Park, it's all locally sourced and sustainable.

"Laurence was very hands-on. You couldn't stop him. It was a real team effort.

"We started at 9am and finished just after 5.30pm. They were amazed with what could be achieved in those hours.

"Laurence was very pleased with it. He thought it was fantastic."

The team will revisit the site for what it calls "TLC" days to strim back the willow and make sure it is growing in the right way.

For further pictures and the filming of the day please visit www.tothemanorbowen.co.uk

Cotswold Forest School is fully behind the Government’s new Manifesto for Learning Outside the Classroom.

The blueprint setting out ways of broadening the horizons of young people through providing learning experiences in ‘real’ situations outside the formal classroom environment was published recently (28/11/06).

Cotswold Forest School Director John-Charles Kimberley says having seen the benefits that an outdoor education provides, we have no hesitation in whole heartedly giving our support to the new education movement.  This is a really positive and exciting development.

He said: “We have obviously endorsed the Manifesto because we believe that by working together we can provide many more opportunities for children and young people to experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of their learning and development.

“The aims of the manifesto fit perfectly with CFS’s core objective - to encourage young people, from a diverse range of backgrounds, to embrace and develop a greater awareness of our woodlands and countryside.  The underlying ethos of the Cotswold Forest School is to encourage and nurture learning and personal development in a natural environment.”

“We recognise that, quality learning experiences in ‘real’ situations can raise achievement across a range of subjects and develop better personal and social skills.

“When these experiences are well planned, safely managed and differentiated to meet the needs of every child they can develop skills and independence in a widening range of environments as well as make learning more engaging and relevant to young people.”

Cotswold Forest School has made a firm commitment to helping schools fulfil the outdoor learning aspects of the National Curriculum through its various programmes.

These provides affordable sessions at either our woodland forest school sites or on site at the schools.  Curriculum-linked activities are delivered by qualified teachers and Forest School Leaders.

More than 100 other organisations have also signed up to back the Manifesto, including Farming and Countryside Education, Arts Council,   English Heritage, YHA, Field Studies Council, Natural England, RSPB, Outward Bound Trust, Forestry Commission, Natural History Museum, , National Trust and Learning through Landscapes.

John-Charles enthused: “Cotswold Forest Schoolis looking forward to working with schools, youth groups and local authorities, the Learning Outside the Classroom Council and all of the many organisations who have endorsed the Manifesto, to ensure that all children and young people have an opportunity to develop and enhance their learning in exciting and fulfilling ways outside the classroom”.

For more information please visit –

www.teachernet.gov.uk/learningoutsidetheclassroom